Investigation of demographic features, performance, comorbidity status and mortality causes among multiple myeloma patients: real-life data.

BACKGROUND: The demographic characteristics, performance status, frequency of comorbidities and survival rate of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) show variability geographically and different risk scoring systems have been used to assess this population. Here, we present data from a Turkish cohort, focusing on identifying similarities and differences, relative to other reports in the literature. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 310 patients diagnosed with MM were enrolled. Their demographic characteristics were investigated retrospectively. For performance assessment; the ECOG-IMWG Myeloma Frailty Score, R-MCI and HCT-SCI scoring indexes were used. PFS and OS periods, as well as the causes of deaths, were determined. RESULTS: The mean age of all study participants was 65 ± 10 years. The mean PFS and OS periods were 24.14± 26.11 and 65.3 ± 4.4 months, respectively. The median R-MCI, CCI and HCT-CI scores were five, four and three points, respectively. Myeloma-related complications were the leading cause of death, with a frequency of 51%. CONCLUSION: Among the scoring systems utilised, R-MCI was more convenient to apply due to its ease of use and practicality. Our study supports the heterogeneous course of myeloma and highlights geographic differences including comorbidities, causes of death and overall survival.

COVID-19-associated Evans syndrome: A case report and review of the literature.

Evans syndrome is a rare condition characterized by simultaneous or sequential development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia (and/or immune neutropenia). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may cause various hematologic conditions, such as coagulation abnormalities (e.g., bleeding or thrombosis) or cell count alterations (e.g., lymphopenia and neutrophilia). COVID-19 may also induce Evans syndrome via immune mechanisms. Here, we describe the case of a patient developing Evans syndrome shortly after COVID-19 infection. Immune thrombocytopenia and warm-type autoimmune hemolytic anemia developed simultaneously, and intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone were initially administered. Additionally, we intend to review all COVID-19-induced Evans syndrome cases currently present in the literature and emphasize the differences as well as the similarities regarding patient characteristics, relationship to COVID-19 infection, and treatment approach. Since autoimmune cytopenias are frequent in COVID-19 patients, clinicians should pay particular attention to profound and abrupt-onset cytopenias. In these circumstances, hemolysis markers such as lactate dehydrogenase, haptoglobulin, Coombs tests, etc. should be investigated, and the possibility of Evans syndrome should always be considered to ensure prompt and appropriate treatment. These factors are essential to ensure hematologic recovery and prevent complications such as thrombosis.